Death was sitting with his legs dangling in his river when he heard a mortal calling aloud to him. Curiosity got the better of him and he followed her voice. He watched from the shadows as a woman laid on a blanket in a carefully tended garden that had not yet begun to bloom. She was trying to bargain for more time which was not completely unusual, but the way he felt drawn to her was. He could not help notice her beauty though she was pale and sickly as well. Her request was for a few months to tell her family goodbye and to see her roses flower one more time. As if she could sense his presence (though mortals typically could not) she glanced towards his hiding spot and continued addressing him. She described her life and passions, that she loved to dance and laugh. The woman promised if she could have the extra time she would waltz into the afterlife with Death when the time came.
Death could feel his responsibilities pulling him away but he could not tear himself away as she continued making promises. She told him that she could make anyone laugh and she would prove it to him. Nobody had ever tried to bargain in this way before and he watched and listened as her voice got quieter and quieter until it had ceased all together and he realized she had fallen asleep. Only then as she lay quiet and unmoving did he approach her, he memorized her lovely features envisioning what they would look like once she had crossed into his realm; as beautiful as he found her now there was a certain tightness in her face. He did not leave her side until he heard someone coming into the garden to check on her. He resumed his duties and kept himself busy for a couple more weeks.
When he visited her again he found the garden was empty except for the flowers that were just starting to bud. He found her inside on a fainting couch. From his place in the corner next to an old grandfather clock he could tell she was weaker and wearier than when he had been here last. Her eyes still held a sparkle though as she looked around and indeed seemed to focus on his place once again. This time he was sure she knew he was there and dared to draw closer as she started to speak. She explained that she knew now that Death was destined to be her next adventure. There was a faint air of excitement in her voice that he had never had directed at him before.
“Will you truly not fight when I come for you?” Death wondered out loud.
The corner of her lip turned upward in a slight smile, “I am almost ready for you my love. The last of my goodbyes will be said soon and then it will just be the two of us. I hope there is dancing in the next life, I miss having the strength. At this stage I cannot even sway to the music.”
She trailed off after that, her breathing growing heavier and he watched as she fought to keep her eyes open but weariness won the battle and she was soon fast asleep. He lingered a few minutes longer watching her chest rise and fall and selfishly hoping he would see the movement cease and he could take her in his arms. Leaning down, Death whispered in her ear that she was the one he had waited so long for and he promised to ease all of her ailments if she would just come with him. He knew it was breaking the rules to encourage a mortal to join him before their time was up, but he could tell it was drawing close. There was no doubt she had been talking directly to him this time.
When he saw her again she was surrounded by family. A woman who looked the way he imagined she would have one day sat at her bedside holding onto her hand. Death’s love was now gaunt looking and her hand trembled in her mothers. To him she looked as breathtaking as ever. Her eyes fluttered open as he came near.
“Please, please take me with you this time my love. The pain is too much to bear.” A lonely tear slid down her pale cheek. She was shushed by a family member and her mother’s hand gripped hers tighter. “Your father and his companion will be here soon, please wait for him. There is nobody there my sweet girl, the pain will all be gone soon.
Death was impatient, his bride to be was no longer reaching out for him. Her attention had returned to the land of the living. He was once again filled with the urge to embrace her early and patted the vial in his pocket. Knowing that route would come with some serious consequences he took his leave before the impulse overwhelmed him. The rules were there for a reason and he comforted himself with the knowledge that they would be together soon enough.
A natural disaster happened across the world and it kept Death very busy. He kept an ear out for the calling that would mean she was finally ready for him but it did not come.
When he made it back to her side he was horrified at what he found. She was once again in her garden, this time surrounded by blooming flowers. Her face was no longer the pale and sickly one he had fallen in love with. There was color in her cheeks and though she was still thin her hands had lost the tremor. A tall man with light colored hair was walking towards her and she laughed loudly at whatever he was saying. She did not once acknowledge Death’s presence, not even glancing his way. This man held all of her attention and she was expressing her gratitude at giving her a second chance at life.
Death became enraged as he realized what had happened. He raced to her side, “What about our vows? You promised to be with me! I have waited so long and been so lonely!”
Her conversation did not even falter and the young man took her hand and kissed it, this made her face light up, he helped her to her feet and they started strolling through the garden.
Death had never felt this sort of devastation before. He swore and he raged. He returned to his responsibilities but with much less mercy. Gone were the days of gentle explanations and for months and months souls were taken by a silent and resentful wraith.
A year later he felt a tug back to that familiar estate. The garden was lovelier than he had remembered and was enhanced by an archway for the most beautiful roses. A familiar looking man was standing under it with a crowd looking on expectantly. Beautiful music started playing from a small group of musicians sitting to the side and everyone turned to look as Death’s only love appeared.
Her hair was adorned with delicate white lace and she held white roses in her steady hands. She looked ethereal in her wedding dress and for a moment he forgot all his miserable feelings as he gazed upon her loveliness. But as she walked down the aisle she had eyes only for her groom and he for her. Death felt someone’s attention on him and was distraught as he looked around only to lock eyes with the bride’s mother. There was a look of horror on her face for just a moment but she turned away quickly from him with a stubborn look on her face. He stood frozen watching her watch her daughter’s special day.
Death was all too aware of the vial he still had in his pocket. The happy couple kissed, everyone cheered, and his despair grew. His love had gone through with it. She was supposed to be his and now she was walking arm in arm with another man. He knew his role today was to escort her mother from this life but he could not bring himself to yet. He followed them into the reception hall and watched as the wine glasses were brought out. The couple was handed one each and Death stepped closer to the bride. The vial was now in his hand. It contained water from the river in his land. A few drops of it and she would be joining him whether it was her time or not. Before he could stop himself he was holding it over her cup and letting a few drops land in her wine.
Unaware, she started her speech. She spoke of her recent brush with Death. She explained that being so near the end had brought so many good things to her life, including her new husband. “Life holds a new meaning for me now, as does its ending. I will live my life knowing that all this time I have been given is a gift. When my time does come I will not be afraid because I know that peace and joy will be waiting for me, and that knowledge feels like a gift as well. For now I would love to celebrate all the life we have to live.”
Everyone cheered and as she lifted the cup to her lips Death blew his cold breath into her ear causing her to startle and the glass to slip from her fingers. It shattered onto the stone floor below, the deep red staining the bottom of her dress. Her face turned red to match in embarrassment but was soon soothed by her love taking her in his arms again and kissing the top of her head as if the clumsiness was endearing.
As people rushed in to clean up the mess and replace her glass Death moved himself into a corner out of the way. He was aware he was lingering too long. After that speech though he realized he was trying to hold off on ruining her day as long as possible. He watched the couple have their first dance, keeping an eye on her mother dabbing at tears with a lace handkerchief. Once the cake was cut and the couple swamped with well wishers he was distracted by a presence at his side. His love’s mother had slipped from the crowd and made her way to stand beside him.
“I do not feel so well but we never thought that she would have this. I cannot ruin it for her yet. Would you escort me outside? I feel like fresh air might help me breathe better.”
Death walked slowly beside her as she made her way to one of the abandoned chairs from the ceremony.
“We were sure it would be her you came for first but I am so glad it is not. She has a whole life left to live. I wish I could be there with her but it is enough to know that she will have all of the experiences life has to offer. It’s still hard to breathe out here but isn’t the moon lovely?”
Death sat by her side and watched the moon with her until she muttered a quiet thank you and slumped over and was still. He stood up and felt her take his hand and rise with him, leaving her body behind in the empty garden. He led her on her way quietly but not resentfully and was relieved not to be around for the devastation this would surely bring his lady. After that evening he returned to his work with a new compassion.
Years passed and he was called back there again and dreaded what he would find. While she was the first person he saw Death could tell that it was not her he was being pulled towards nor thankfully was it the small bundle in her arms. She looked radiant and content as she swayed side to side singing softly under one of the old trees in the courtyard. He admired the beautiful scene for a moment before venturing into the house to retrieve his charge. It was a great uncle who had been set up comfortably awaiting his time.
Death was able to stay away for a good long time after that. In fact, a lifetime had passed before he returned. When he did he was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar smile looking up at him from her bed.
“There you are, it feels like it has been forever. Where were you?” She asked in a faint voice.
“Waiting for you of course,” He whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
She sighed and was still.
“Are we ready to start our adventure yet?” A clear voice asked from the doorway.
He turned with a smile as he found her reaching her hand out for him. He was still for a moment and she came forward grabbing his hand tight in hers. “I think we should start with a dance, it has been so long.”
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